The frustrating Christian life

“Most Christians I know don’t memorize Scripture because no one ever discipled them and gave them the basics of the Gospel, prayer, the word, or temptation – what the Bible says to arm themselves.”

Chip Ingram knows what it’s like to be unarmed in the Christian faith, which is why he wants to do his part to help prepare Christians for battle.

“I think the Christian life is so misunderstood. A lot of people go to church, they read the Bible now and then, and they’re trying really hard to be good people, to be good Christians, and they’re mostly frustrated.”

“They have unresolved anger issues. The statistics say that there is 40% of men who struggle with porn, and a growing percentage of woman. There is a huge percentage of people with alcohol and drug addictions. They go to church and read their Bible, and try really hard.”

As long as we strive after a “try hard ” good Christian life we will be frustrated; we will fail to experience life change and fail to find God. There is only one key to overcoming sin struggles, and it’s not us.

“The key is to understanding life change never happens by trying hard to be a good Christian.”

This does not mean that there is no need for effort, but for our effort to be directed in the right way. Chip points to the truth of Scripture.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Seeking transformation in any other way than through God will lead to frustration and discouragement.

“It doesn’t say by going to church a lot, by trying really hard. It says be transformed by the renewing of your mind. It’s metamorphosis, it’s a change from the inside out, then you’ll discover the will of God.”

When we fill our lives with God’s Word, we will be conformed to His will.

“It’s renewing your mind; it’s changing your thinking. Our thinking always proceeds our emotions and our behavior.”

Those who are stuck in a particular sin often focus all of their attention on trying to stop the behavior, this isn’t effective.

“Stop doing this, start doing that. It doesn’t work. The fact is our thinking is at the core of all life change, all transformation.”


Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, coach and teacher for more than twenty-five years, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.

Key Scripture: Colossians 3

Hour 2: Featured Songs: Word of God, Speak – Mercy Me; We Fall Down – Steven Curtis Chapman; Amazed – Lincoln Brewster

The power of Scripture memorization